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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -37.94240, 175.05797. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 15.2 km one way
- Walking time
- 6 - 10 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Pirongia Forest Park
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Combine this track with Tahuanui Track for an overnight circuit to Pāhautea Hut and Mount Pirongia.
This DOC directory entry covers Bell Track in Waikato, within Pirongia Forest Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 15.2 km one way
- Walking time: 6 - 10 hr
- DOC grade: Advanced
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
- Pirongia track closures; First published on 14 February 2026. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Follow the Nikau Walk on to the Bell Track and past the Kaniwhaniwha Caves. Cross the bridge near the big kahikatea and climb a spur to a series of clearings.
The last clearing signposted as the halfway point has a small stream nearby and is a good campsite.
The track becomes quite muddy at this point and continues along the ridge to the Cone (second highest point on the mountain) and then to Pāhautea Hut and campsite. It is another 30 min to the summit of Pirongia.
Getting there
This track is accessed via the Nikau Walk, which starts from the Kaniwhaniwha carpark on Limeworks Loop Road.
From Hamilton take SH23 to Whatawhata. Turn left onto Te Pahu Road after the bridge over the Waipa River. Limeworks Loop Road is about 10.6 km on the right.
Know before you go
A good level of fitness is required for this track.
Always pack plenty of warm clothing and a waterproof raincoat. Bring a torch and spare batteries, in case you find the walk takes you longer than expected and it starts to get dark. Find a full list of what to pack
The high level tracks on Pirongia follow steep-sided ridges. Water is difficult to find, especially in summer, so be sure to take sufficient drinking water with you.
Because of poorly drained soils, the tracks can be very muddy, especially after rain.
Check the Pirongia Mountain weather forecast – NIWA website.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
